System and method for positioning an application window based on usage context for dual screen display device

ABSTRACT

An information handling system includes a primary integrated display device housing and a second integrated display device housing attached via a hinge and a processor to determine a first relative orientation of the primary integrated display device housing to the second integrated display device housing from a plurality of orientation sensors. The processor further determines a working software application context by detecting at least a first software application running on the information handling system wherein the working software application context further includes an operating state rank of the first software application relative to other software applications. The processor detects a required user input to the first software application and alters a location of a first software application display window and a virtual input softkey on a display device based on the first relative orientation and displaces second software application window of a second software application with a previously-higher the operating state rank.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/101,612, entitled “System and Method for Positioning an ApplicationWindow Based on Usage Context for Dual Screen Display Device,” filed onDec. 10, 2013, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/066,484, entitled “System and Method for DisplayPower Management for Dual Screen Display Device,” filed on Oct. 29,2013, the disclosures of which are hereby expressly incorporated byreference in its entirety.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

U.S. application Ser. No. 14/078,775, filed Nov. 13, 2013, entitled“Dynamic Hover Sensitivity and Gesture Adaptation in a Dual DisplaySystem,” invented by Lawrence E. Knepper et al., and assigned to theassignee hereof.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure generally relates to dual display information handlingsystems, and more particularly relates to determining position of anapplication window on a dual display information handling system havingmultiple dual screen orientations.

BACKGROUND

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option is an information handling system. An information handlingsystem generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicatesinformation or data for business, personal, or other purposes. Becausetechnology and information handling needs and requirements may varybetween different applications, information handling systems may alsovary regarding what information is handled, how the information ishandled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, andhow quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, orcommunicated. The variations in information handling systems allow forinformation handling systems to be general or configured for a specificuser or specific use such as clinical healthcare data storage anddistribution, financial transaction processing, procurement, stockingand delivery tracking, provision of data services and software, airlinereservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications.Information handling systems may include a variety of hardware andsoftware components that may be configured to process, store, andcommunicate information and may include one or more computer systems,data storage systems, and networking systems. Additionally, informationhandling systems may have two or more display screens for output ofimages and for input such as by touch screen operation. Multiple displayscreen information handling systems, such as dual display devices, maybe devices with fully integrated display screens or display screens thatare modularly connectable to the information handling system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,elements illustrated in the Figures have not necessarily been drawn toscale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements areexaggerated relative to other elements. Embodiments incorporatingteachings of the present disclosure are shown and described with respectto the drawings presented herein, in which:

FIG. 1 is a hardware block diagram illustrating a dual displayinformation handling system according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram illustrating the sensors module andworking software application context selection module integrated withthe power management of a dual display information handling systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example dual display information handling systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example dual display information handling systemin closed mode orientation according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate example dual display information handlingsystems in dual tablet mode orientations according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example dual display information handling systemin laptop mode orientation according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C illustrate example dual display informationhandling systems in tablet mode orientations according to an embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example dual display information handling systemin book mode orientation according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example dual display information handling systemin media display mode orientation according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example dual display information handling systemin tent display mode orientation according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating an example system for determiningpower savings for a dual display information handling system dependingon orientation of displays and working software application context;

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating another example system fordetermining power savings for a dual display information handling systemdepending on orientation of displays and working software applicationcontext;

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating an example system for determininglogical position software application windows for a dual displayinformation handling system depending on orientation of displays andworking software application context;

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating another example system fordetermining logical position software application windows for a dualdisplay information handling system depending on orientation of displaysand working software application context; and

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram illustrating an example system for determininglogical position software application windows and a virtual tool for adual display information handling system depending on orientation ofdisplays and working software application context.

The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicatessimilar or identical items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The following description in combination with the Figures is provided toassist in understanding the teachings disclosed herein. The followingdiscussion will focus on specific implementations and embodiments of theteachings. This focus is provided to assist in describing the teachingsand should not be interpreted as a limitation on the scope orapplicability of the teachings. However, other teachings may be utilizedin this application, as well as in other applications and with severaldifferent types of architectures such as distributed computingarchitectures, client or server architectures, or middleware serverarchitectures and associated components.

Most businesses and other enterprises have sophisticated computingsystems used for facilitating internal operations and for storingsensitive data, protecting access to such data, and securelycommunicating outside the enterprise's network, for example to exchangeinformation with business partners, healthcare providers or the similardata exchange partners. These enterprise systems also interface withindividual users. Individual users also use sophisticated computingsystems to facilitate working software application contexts such asrunning office applications for database creation and word processing,note taking, accessing internet data applications, gaming, videoplayback entertainment, video and voice communications, email and otherelectronic communication, websurfing, music, mobile applications, andother media accesses. Much of present day information exchange isconducted electronically, via communications networks. Currently, a highdegree of media entertainment and other applications are utilized andaccessed electronically by users. Thus, there is an increased need forextended display capabilities to facilitate broad range of usageincluding to enable multitasking by users. Additionally, traditionalinformation handling system input devices such as keyboards and mousesystems are giving way to visual input interfaces such as touchscreens,hover detection, and motion sensing technologies. In many instances, itis substantially beneficial to implement a system with multiple displayscreens to interact with an information handling system. Optimalutilization of multiple display screens is desirable to facilitate usageof the extended display capabilities of an information handling systemwith two or more display screens. Display screens require substantialenergy for operation which, in a mobile device environment, may heavilytax system performance and battery life. Orientation of a dual displayinformation handling system and the context of the applications runningthereon may be beneficially used to determine optimal location ofsoftware application windows and virtual interface tools based on theanticipated priorities of usage. Policies for anticipated usage andtherefore location and prioritization of software display windows andvirtual tools in a multitasking environment are described in severalembodiments herein. Several factors are relevant in determining policiesfor anticipated usage. Factors may include ranked priority of softwareapplications, orientation mode of a dual display information handlingsystem, and determination of the location of a user or multiple userswith respect to the display screens of a dual screen device.

FIG. 1 shows a dual display information handling system 10 includingconventional information handling systems components of a type typicallyfound in client/server computing environments. For purposes of thisdisclosure, an information handling system may include anyinstrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute,classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch,store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilizeany form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific,control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, an informationhandling system may be a personal computer, a tablet, a PDA/smartphone,a consumer electronic device, a network server or storage device, aswitch router, wireless router, or other network communication device,or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance,functionality, and price. The information handling system may includememory, one or more processing resources such as a central processingunit (CPU) 105 and related chipset(s) 108 or hardware or softwarecontrol logic. Additional components of system 10 may include mainmemory 109, one or more storage devices such as static memory or diskdrives 110, an optional external input device 115 such as a keyboard,and a cursor control device such as a mouse, or one or more videodisplays 125 and 135. In the shown embodiment, the device is a dualdisplay device with displays 125 and 135. The information handlingsystem may also include one or more buses 118 operable to transmitcommunications between the various hardware components.

More specifically, system 10 represents a mobile user/client device,such as a dual screen mobile tablet computer. System 10 has a networkinterface device 40, such as for a wireless cellular or mobile networks(CDMA, TDMA, etc.), WIFI, WLAN, LAN, or similar network connection,enabling a user to communicate via a wired or wireless communicationsnetwork 50, such as the Internet. System 10 may be configured withconventional web browser software. The web browser, may include forexample Microsoft Corporation's Internet Explorer web browser software,Firefox or similar such browsers to allow the user to interact withwebsites via the wireless communications network 50.

System 10 may include several sets of instructions to be run by CPU 105and any embedded controllers 120 on system 10. One such set ofinstructions includes an operating system 122 with operating systeminterface. Example operating systems can include those used with typicalmobile computing devices such as Windows Phone mobile OS from MicrosoftCorporation and Android OS from Google Inc., for example Key Lime Pie v.5.x. Additional sets of instructions in the form of multiple softwareapplications 124 may be run by system 10. These software applications124 may enable multiple uses of the dual display information handlingsystem as set forth in more detail below.

System 10 includes a first or primary display screen 125 and a seconddisplay screen 135. Each display screen has a display driver operated byone or more graphics processing units (GPUs) 106 such as those that arepart of the chipset 108. Each display screen also has an associatedtouch controller 130, 140 to accept touch input on the touch interfaceof each display screen. It is contemplated that one touch controller mayaccept touch input from display screens 125 and 135, or as shown in thecurrent embodiment, two touch controllers 130 and 140 may operate eachdisplay screen respectively. In the current embodiment, the first touchcontroller 130 is associated with the first display screen 125. Thesecond touch controller 140 is associated with the second display screen135.

The first display screen 125 and the second display screen 135 may alsobe controlled by the embedded controller 120 of chipset 108. Each GPU106 and display driver is responsible for rendering graphics such assoftware application windows and virtual tools such as virtual keyboardson the displays 125 and 135. Control of the location and positioning ofthese windows may be set by user input to locate the screens or bycontrol setting default. In several embodiments described herein,control of the location for rendering for software application windowsand virtual tools in the dual displays may be determined by anapplication window locator system as described further in theembodiments herein. The application window locator system determinesoperating state rank of running software applications and determineswhether and where to display application display windows and virtualtools based on relative orientation and state of usage information.Windows may include other forms of display interface with softwareapplication besides a window. It is contemplated that tiles, thumbnails,and other visual application access and viewing methods via a displayare contemplated to be considered windows. Virtual tools may includevirtual keyboard, virtual touchpad or controller, virtual buttons andother input devices rendered via a display screen and accepting feedbackvia a touch control system.

In another example of dual display control via the disclosures herein,the power to the first display screen 125 and the second display screen135 is controlled by an embedded controller 120 in the processorchipset(s) which manages a battery management unit (BMU) as part of apower management unit (PMU) in the BIOS/firmware of the main CPUprocessor chipset(s). These controls form a part of the power operatingsystem. The PMU (and BMU) control power provision to the display screensand other components of the dual display information handling system.

A display mode selector 145, in connection with an application windowlocator system as described in more detail below, determines priority ofconcurrently running software applications and how to automaticallylocate software application display windows and virtual tools betweenthe dual screens via the chipset 108 based upon orientation of the twodisplay screens 125 and 135 as well as the software applications 124currently running and active and their status. Determining whichapplications 124 are running determines a working software applicationcontext. Alternatively, the application window locator may operate on aembedded controller 120 separate from the main CPU chipset(s) 108.Additionally, the power management application may receive state ofusage activity input from device state sensors.

System 10 of the current embodiment has a system sensor module 150.Various orientation sensors are included in this module to assist withdetermining the relative orientation of the dual display informationhandling system. Subcategories of orientation sensors include motionsensors 152, image sensors 154, and sound sensors 156. Other orientationsensors are contemplated as well including state of usage activitysensors as discussed in more detail below with FIG. 2. Sensor systemmodule 150 is a sensor hub, or an accumulator device, that collects rawdata from connected orientation sensors, and organizes and processesdata received from the connected sensors. The sensor hub also processesraw sensor data to groom the raw sensor data into a useable form ofpositional analysis for the dual display information handling system andits display screens. Such a sensor hub may be an independentmicrocontroller such as the STMicro Sensor Fusion MCU as well as othermicrocontroller processing systems known to persons of ordinary skill.Alternatively, it is contemplated that the sensor and fusion hub may beintegrated into a core processing chipset such as CPU systems for mobiledevices as available from Intel® corporation or may utilize ARM Coreprocessors that serve as single or multiple core processors inalternative chipset systems. The sensor hub may communicate with thesensors and the main CPU processor chipset via a bus connection such asan Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) bus or other suitable type ofmulti-master bus connection.

The sensor data from the sensor hub is then further groomed by the powermanagement application and the display mode selector 145. A relativeorientation of the dual display information handling system in space,the orientation of the two display screens with respect to one another,consideration of state of usage activity data, and working softwareapplication context are determined by the application window locatorsystem and the display mode selector 145 at CPU 105 and/or embeddedcontroller 120. This relative orientation data of the dual displayinformation handling system, the rank of software applications running,the rank of the state of the operating state for the softwareapplications, and the working software application context are used byapplication window locator system and display mode selector 145 todetermine locations of software application display windows and virtualtools among the display screens.

Typically, system 10 may also include microphones and speakers for audioinput and output (not shown). The microphones and speakers are connectedthrough an HDA Codec such as the Realtek ALC 5642 or similar such codec.Data from the microphones may serve motion sensing using a DopplerEffect detection of display screen locations. This is discussed furtherbelow.

FIG. 2 illustrates a system block diagram of a dual display powermanagement system 20 including sensor module 250 and context selectionmodule 280. Also shown are the first display screen 225 and the seconddisplay screen 235 integrated into the dual display information handlingsystem of the current embodiment. The dual display power managementsystem includes a power management application 210, an applicationwindow locator system 215, and display mode selector 245 that comprisesa set of instructions run on CPU 105 or embedded controller 120 in thechipset(s) 108. The power management application 210, the window locatorsystem 215, and the display mode selector 245 interface with theapplication programming interface (API) 220 found in the informationhandling system software to coordinate various software applications.The API may coordinate the display mode selector 245, sensor hub inputdata, other independent sensor input types such as camera or touch hoverdetection applications, display device drivers, PMU/BMU applicationscontrolling power, and the window locator system application 215 anddisplay manager, such as a windows manager, determine commands input tothe GPU and display device drivers to render and locate the softwaredisplay windows and virtual tools.

The power management application 210, the application window locatorsystem 215, and display mode selector 245 receive data from the sensorsystem module 250 that includes an accumulator sensor hub that gatherssets of data from some or all of the orientation sensors shown. Theorientation sensor types include motion sensors 252, image sensors 254,sound sensors 256, and other sensors 258. Some orientation sensors areconnected through the sensor hub or accumulator device and system. Otherorientation sensors may directly provide data to the dual screen dualdisplay power management system 210, the application window locatorsystem 215, or the display mode selector 245. For example, the camerasystem and detection of gaze or presence of a user can operate on adifferent set of drivers and data be groomed by a software applicationrunning on the chipset(s) 108 processors to interpret camera input. Thisdata is then provided to the dual display screen dual display powermanagement system 210, the dual display the application window locatorsystem 215, and the display mode selector 245.

Motion sensors 252 may include one or more digital gyroscopes,accelerometers, and magnetometers. Motion sensors 252 may also includereference point sensors. For example, a geomagnetic field sensor maydetermine position of one or both display screens of the dual-screeninformation handling system and or the overall dual display informationhandling system device itself. This positional information may providex-axis, y-axis, and z-axis positional information of the dual displayinformation handling system relative to magnetic north pole, and therefor a reference point of the device position. In one embodiment, twogeomagnetic field sensors provide x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis positionalinformation for each display screen of the dual display informationhandling system. With this data, the system determines the relativeposition of the two display screens to one another in orientation.

Also, a digital gyro and accelerometer may be used to detect motion andchanges in position. These sensors may provide a matrix of data. In anexample embodiment, the azimuth or yaw, pitch, and roll values of thedevice are indicated by the raw sensor data. The raw orientation datafor the entire dual screen device may be relevant to the dual displaypower management system 210 or software window locator system 215. Inanother embodiment, determination of azimuth, pitch, and roll data maybe made of individual display screens 225 and 235 in the dual screenpower management system 20. In a further embodiment, the two individualdisplay screens are integrably hinged together along one side eachdisplay screen. Thus, relative positions of each individual displayscreen 225 and 235 are important input data to determining the logicallocation of application display windows as well as power saving measuresdescribed herein.

In connection with a reference point, such as magnetic north as providedin one embodiment by a geomagnetic field sensor, the azimuth can bedetermined as a degree of rotation around a z-axis. Note this isdifferent from hinge azimuth angle discussed further below. In anembodiment, the azimuth may be the value of the z-axis relative to thedevice y-axis as positive angle values between 0° and 360°. It isunderstood that a different range of values may be assigned in differentembodiments.

Based on a reference point such as provided by a geomagnetic fieldsensor, pitch may be determined as a degree of rotation around the xaxis. In an example embodiment, the angle values may range from positive180° to negative 180° relative to the y-axis, although other valueranges may be assigned instead.

Roll is also based on the reference value, for example that establishedby a geomagnetic sensor. Roll may be considered to be rotation about they-axis and its values may range from positive 90° to negative 90°.Again, the value ranges assigned can vary for each of the azimuth,pitch, and roll as long as a set of values is used to define orientationparameters in three dimensional space.

The matrix of raw sensor data from the geomagnetic field sensor and thegyro and accelerometer sensors may be processed partly by a sensor hubor accumulator to provide orientation data for the dual displayinformation handling system device. The sensor hub performs a fusion ofdata signals received from either a single sensor or multiple sensordevices. As described above in reference to FIG. 1, the sensor hub alsoprocesses raw sensor data to groom the raw sensor data into a useableform of positional analysis for the dual display information handlingsystem and its display screens. In the example embodiment, the sensorhub is an independent microcontroller such as the STMicro Sensor FusionMCU.

No more than three orientation sensors are needed. A reference sensorand a motion sensor associated is attached to one display screen todetermine its orientation. A second sensor which is either anotherreference sensor or a motion sensor associated with or attached to thesecond screen to provide enough information of location or movement ofthe second display screen relative to the first display screen todetermine the overall orientation mode of the dual display informationhandling system. Algorithmic calculation of the sensor data from thefirst display screen, such as a geomagnetic field reference sensor andan accelerometer motion sensor, may be used to determine the orientationof the first display screen according to a geomagnetic field or otherreference point. Additional algorithmic calculations of movement data ordifferences in reference point data from the second display screen areused to determine position or orientation of the second display screenin space relative to the first display screen. The fixed location of thehinge and determination of the position of and relative angle betweeneach of the two display screens also yields positional information on ahinge azimuth angle. The hinge azimuth angle, different from the rawazimuth z-axis measurement discussed above, relates to the orientationof the hinge axis relative to a detected users viewing line or relativeto the viewing line most likely to be used by a viewer based on the dualdisplay device's current configuration.

In one example embodiment, two digital gyroscopes may be used, one foreach display screen of the dual display information handling system, anda geomagnetic field reference sensor may be used in association witheither display screen. In yet another example embodiment, twoaccelerometers may be used in addition to a reference sensor, one foreach display screen of the dual display information handling system.Some sensor types may be combination sensor devices in certainembodiments as is known in the art. For example, a motion sensor may beused that combines the functions of a digital gyroscope andaccelerometer to detect motion. Thus, one accelerometer and one digitalgyroscope or two gyro-accelerometer combination devices may be usedalong with at least one reference sensor to determine the dual displayinformation handling system orientation. Any combination of the abovereference sensors and motion sensors may be used in a three sensorembodiment to determine orientation of the display screens (e.g.relative angle) and the hinge azimuth angle.

It is contemplated that more sensors associated with each of the firstand second display screens provide more data permitting increasedaccuracy in determination the dual display information handling systemorientation. This has trade-offs however in materials cost, spaceoccupancy, and power consumption. Use of dual sensor types in eachdisplay screen for the dual display device permits two sets of processedorientation data to be developed by the accumulator. With these two setsof data, display mode selector 245 of the central processor or theembedded controller may determine changes in movement of each displayscreen of the dual display device. These movement changes indicaterelative position of these two display screens 225 and 235 to oneanother. This provides information permitting the system to understandthe location and movement of each of the two display screens relative toone another as well as their position and movement in space overall.Such additional capability may provide more precise determination by thedisplay mode selector of the intended display mode of the dual displayinformation handling system.

The relative measurements of position in space relative to a referencepoint may be further processed relative to measurements of position fromother sensors. For example azimuth, pitch, and roll may establish theposition in space of one display screen. Then data from one or moresensors on a second display screen such as a gyroscope, may indicate adifferent azimuth, pitch, and roll for the second display screen. Withposition of the two display screens and a known hinge point (or points),the system determines a relative angle between the first display screenand a second display screen. Similarly, the system for determiningorientation of the dual display device will know the location of a fixedhinge axis and based on positional information of the two displayscreens in space. Thus, the dual display power management systemdetermines the hinge azimuth angle relative to the probable viewing lineof a user. The viewing line of a user may also be detected with a cameradetection system or other proximity sensor to recognize the location ofa user relative to the dual display device.

Other techniques are also contemplated to determine relative positionand movement of two display screens integrated into a dual displayinformation handling system. For example, Doppler Effect sound sensors256 may typically include one or more microphones and speakers used inconnection with Doppler effect calculations to determine relativeposition of two display screens in a dual display information handlingsystem. A transmitter and microphone receiver can detect a Doppler shiftin sound or ultrasound signals to measure distance or location of thetwo display screens integrably hinged. In one example, the DopplerEffect sensors may operate in the 0-40 kHz range to detect relativelocation of the hinged dual screens in an open configuration.

Image sensors 254 may include a camera, photocell or color sensor. Aphotocell may detect the open or closed state of a dual displayinformation handling system by determining hinged screens are no longerin a closed position when light is detected by the photocell.Additionally, the photocell may detect ambient light levels indetermining brightness levels of one or more display screens. Aphotocell may even be used to indicate when one display screen isoriented face down on a surface such as a table while the other displayscreen may be actively displaying.

A camera may be used as an image sensor to provide several types offeedback. It may be used as a light sensor similar to a photocell. Acamera may also be used to facilitate a reference point for orientationby detecting the presence and location of a user in front of one or moredisplay screens of a dual display information handling system. Locationof a user relative to one or both display screens provide a rough userviewing vector that may be used to determine display usage mode by thedisplay mode selector 245. The camera may be tasked to sense theposition of a user around the two screens (for example, directly infront, above, below, to the right, or to the left of the plane of thedisplay screen) as well as using facial recognition capability as isknown to the art to determine the orientation of the person's face. Thisinformation enables the system to correctly orient both displays on thedisplay screens according to a viewing line of sight (or viewing vector)based on position and orientation of the user. The displays on eachdisplay screen may be oriented in landscape page orientation or portraitpage orientation as well as determining which side should be the top ofthe display for each screen relative to the viewer.

A camera may also be used with gaze detection to determine which screenin a dual-screen information handling system is actively being viewed bya user. Determining which screen between the dual screens is beingactively viewed provides additional data for the display mode selectorand the dual display power management system application to determinepower saving implementations that may be appropriate. Eye tracking andgaze technology implementations are available in the art from companiessuch as Synaptics, Inc. and Tobaii Technologies. Description of thistechnology is found athttp://www.synaptics.com/about/press/press-releases/tobii-and-synaptics-unveil-concept-laptop-integrates-eye-tracking-and-touch(press release Jun. 25, 2013). Use of eye tracking and gaze technologyin the present disclosure permits control over determination of whichdisplay screen is active in a dual display information handling system.Location of an application display windows may be selected for anon-active display screen depending on the application being used andphysical orientation of the system. Also, power may be reduced to anon-active display screen depending on the application being used andphysical orientation of the system.

In addition to motion sensors 252, image sensors 254, and sound sensors256, other sensors 258 such as a variety of state of usage activitysensors are contemplated. For example, touch or hover sensors may detectwhich screen is actively being used. Proximity sensors may detect thelocation of a user relative to one or both display screens. Proximitysensors in one or both display screens may detect the position of a useraround the two screens (for example, directly in front, above, below, tothe right, or to the left of the plane of the display screen) and thusinfer the viewing vector based on the position of the user or users.Proximity sensors may be a variety of types including infrared,radiofrequency, magnetic, capacitive or other techniques used to detectthe surroundings of the information handling system. Similar to thecamera, this proximity sensor information enables the system tocorrectly orient both displays on the display screens according to aviewing line of sight (or viewing vector) based on position andorientation of the user. The displays on each display screen may beoriented in landscape page orientation or portrait page orientation aswell as determining which side should be the top of the display for eachscreen relative to the viewer. As described further below, a tilt of oneor both display screens may also orient the display on the displayscreen via a gyroscope or accelerometer sensor providing this state ofusage activity information.

Another state of usage activity sensor is a Hall Effect sensor that maydetect when a magnet, of certain polarity and strength, is in proximityto the sensor. It is used to detect the closed position of a device withtwo sides. For example, a Hall Effect sensor may determine when twointegrably hinged display screens are closed onto one another so that amagnet in one screen triggers a Hall Effect sensor in the second screen.Alternatively, a different Hall Effect sensor may determine if thehinged display screens are open to an orientation of 360° so that theback sides of the display screens are in proximity such that a magnetlocated with one display screen triggers the Hall Effect sensor of theother.

Hall Effect magnets and magnetic sensors may be deployed as a type ofmotion sensor 252 although it is also a position or state sensor. It isknown in the art that a relative angle between a magnetic field sourceof known polarity and strength may be determined by strength and changeto a magnetization vector detected by magneto-resistive detectors of aHall Effect sensor. Thus, motion and relative angle may also be detectedby the Hall Effect sensors. Other detectors are also contemplated suchas a hinge angle detector that may be mechanical, electromechanical oranother detecting method to determine how far the hinge between the twodisplay screens has been opened. Such detectors are known in the art.

The context selection module 280 determines what software applicationsare operating on the dual screen information handling system. Categoriesof working software application contexts such as running officeapplications for database creation and word processing, note taking,accessing internet data applications, gaming, video playbackentertainment, video and voice communications, email and otherelectronic communication, websurfing, music, mobile applications, andothers are grouped according to similarities in usage on a dual screeninformation handling system. Websurfing and use of some types of mobileapplications may have similar usage on a dual screen device.

The context selection module 280 detects active software applicationsand ranks the software applications based on a variety of factors.Priorities may be set via a priority policy table described furtherbelow and utilized by the window locator system application to arrangedisplay locations of software display windows and virtual tools. Somesoftware applications will take priority based on an operating state ofthe software which is determined from a context selection module 280.For example, an operating state may include whether a videoconferencecall application or a voice call application is receiving a currentcall. Another operating state may include a software applicationrequesting input via a virtual tool such as a virtual keyboard. Yetanother operating state may be a software application actively runningor being actively used versus a software application downloading data.Additional operating states are contemplated for assessment by thecontext selection module 280 in determining the working softwareapplication contexts for one or more software applications running on adual screen information handling system.

The working software application context data is provided to the displaymode selection module 245 of the window locator system application 215along with sensor data for orientation and state of usage activity datafor determination of a usage mode and locating the software applicationdisplay screens and virtual tools for display on the dual screen device.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a dual display information handling systemwith two hinged display screens according to an embodiment of theinvention. The dual display information handling system 300 has a firstdisplay screen 311 in housing 310 and a second display screen 321 inhousing 320 in the disclosed embodiment. As illustrated in thisembodiment, the dual display information handling system is in aportrait page orientation and the screens are oriented in a doubletablet orientation with both the first display screen 311 and the seconddisplay screen 321 viewable. First display screen 311 and second displayscreen 321, or their housings 310 and 320, are connected via a hingestructure 330 along one side of each display screen. Hinge structure 330may run most of the entire length of one side of each of the firstdisplay screen 311 or housing 310 and second display screen 321 orhousing 320. Alternatively, one or more hinges may be connected only atportions of the edges of the two display screens 311 and 321 or theirrespective housings 310 and 320. For example, one hinge point connectionmay be sufficient at only one spot along the edge of the two displayscreens. In another embodiment, two connection points may be sufficient.In this example the two connection points may be near the ends of thehinged edges of the two display screens 311 and 321 in an exampleembodiment. The hinge connection 330 may include power and communicationconnections allowing information and power to be transferred betweendisplay screens 311 and 321 and their respective housings 310 and 320.This will provide flexibility on where to locate various processors,power sources, connections, and sensors as between the housings ofdisplay screens 311 and 321. In another embodiment, one or more displayscreens 311 and 321 may not require any housing and most or allcomponents may be stored in the hinge connection 330 or the housing ofthe other display screen.

In yet another embodiment, the hinge connection 330 may bedisconnectable to permit display screens 311 and 321 to operate asdisplay screens connected by a wireless connection or as altogetherindependent information handling systems such as tablets. Magneticconnectivity may maintain the hinge structure 330 when a disconnectablehinge is connected. Wireless data connection between detachable displayscreens 311 and 321 may be made via wireless communication standardssuch as near field communication (NFC) per standards ISO 18000-3, ISO13157 and related standards or low power Bluetooth based connections(e.g. IEEE 802.15.1) maintained between the detachable display screens.Separate power sources, such as batteries, may need to be provided foreach of the display screens; however coordination of power savingsstrategies may still be utilized to preserve battery power on one orboth devices in accordance with the disclosures herein.

FIG. 3 also illustrates various sensor components in a dual displayinformation handling system embodiment according to the disclosures. Oneor both display screens or their respective housings may contain one ormore accelerometers 312, geomagnetic sensors 314, cameras 316, ordigital gyroscopes 318. Additional state sensors may also be presentincluding a photocell ambient light sensor, a Hall Effect magnet andsensor, camera, touch/hover sensors, and other sensors as describedabove.

There is no requirement that all sensor types be present. For example, asensor module may only need a motion detector and a reference sensor asdescribed above for one display screen and another sensor in a seconddisplay screen. For example, either an accelerometer 312 or a gyroscope318 and a reference sensor such as a geomagnetic sensor 314 may beassociated with one display screen 311 while the other display screen321 has a sensor to detect changes or differences between the twoscreens 311 and 321. The second screen may use a second geomagneticsensor 314, or one motion sensor 312 or 318. There are even techniquesknown in the art of using a Hall Effect sensor or a Doppler shift sensorin the second display screen 321 to indicate changes in position asdescribed above. The more sensor data available in each display screen311 and 321 of the dual display information handling system, the betteraccuracy of the orientation data and less computing required todetermine the positioning orientation. The down side however is addedthe expense, space, and power resources that many sensors will occupy inthe dual display information handling system.

FIGS. 4-10 illustrate a plurality of exemplary embodiments of displayorientation modes for a dual display information handling system withtwo display screen integrably hinged along one side. The displayorientation modes reflect the orientation of the dual displayinformation handling system in three dimensional space and the relativepositions of the display screens to one another. Add to the displayorientation such factors as the working software application context andthe state of usage activity of the system, and the display mode selectorassociated with the dual display power management application and theapplication window locator system determines a usage mode for the dualdisplay device. In some cases, working software application context orstate of usage activity may have little or no input on determining theusage mode. In other cases, such data may be determinative of a usagemode.

In one embodiment, two display screens are connected by a 360° hingealong one side with data and power connections so that communicationsand power may be shared between each side having a display screen. Inone particular embodiment, the 360° hinge also allows any orientationbetween the two hinged display screens is available at any relativeangle in from 0° in a fully closed position to 360° where the dualdisplay screens are open fully so that the opposite sides of the displayscreens contact one another. Several of these example displayorientation modes are illustrated in FIGS. 4-10.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a dual display information handling systemwith two hinged display screens according to an embodiment of theinvention. The dual display information handling system 400 has a firstdisplay screen housing 410 and a second display screen housing 420. Asillustrated in this embodiment, the dual display information handlingsystem is in a closed orientation with both the first display screensurface and the second display screen surface in contact with oneanother and closed internally as shown. First display screen housing 410and second display screen housing 420 are connected via a hingestructure 430 along one side of each screen. In the shown embodiment,hinge structure 430 may run most of the entire length of one side ofeach display screen, but other hinge embodiments are contemplated asdiscussed with respect to FIG. 3 above.

FIG. 5A illustrates a landscape page orientation for a dual screensystem in double tablet orientation 500A of the present disclosure. Inthis orientation, a first display screen 510A and a second displayscreen 520A are connected via a hinge 530A having a hinge azimuthorientation at 0° or perpendicular to the sight line of a viewer. A tiltmotion of the double tablet oriented device, for example by lifting thetop edge relative to the bottom edge, may orient images on the twodisplay screens to be viewable, in this case in a sight line from thebottom. Such a motion can activate accelerometers or another tiltdetector to orient the viewable images. Alternatively, a camera sensormay be used to detect the location of a viewer or viewers to determinethe orientation of the images on the display screens 510A and 520A forviewing. For example, the camera may detect a user at the bottom of thedevice and set the display with a sight line from the bottom. In theseembodiments, the hinge 530A is designed so that the dual displayinformation handling system may be arranged in an open position atapproximately 180° where the front of both display screens are viewable.Display screens 510A and 520A may be combined virtually into a singleviewable screen so images are viewable across both display screens forcertain software applications. A range of dual tablet hinge angles arecontemplated. Generally, if both display screens are viewable orcombined as a single viewable screen, the system orientation may beconsidered double tablet mode. In one example embodiment, a doubletablet orientation with landscape page orientation have a relative hingeangle of between approximately 160° and approximately 200°.

FIG. 5B illustrates a portrait page orientation for the dual displayinformation handling system embodiment 500B in double tablet orientationof the present disclosure. In this orientation, a first display screen510B and a second display screen 520B are connected via a hinge 530Bhaving a hinge azimuth orientation at 90° or parallel to the sight lineof a viewer. A tilt motion of the double tablet oriented device, forexample by lifting the top edge relative to the bottom edge, may orientimages on the two display screens to be viewable, in this case in asight line from the bottom. Alternatively, a camera sensor may be usedto detect the location of a viewer or viewers to determine theorientation of the images on the display screens 510B and 520B forviewing, for example in a sight line from the bottom. In theseembodiments, the hinge 530B is designed so that the dual displayinformation handling system may be arranged in an open position atapproximately 180° where the front of both display screens are viewable.Display screens 510B and 520B may be combined virtually into a singleviewable screen so images are viewable across both display screens forcertain software applications. A range of dual tablet relative hingeangle between the two display screens is contemplated. Generally, ifboth display screens are viewable and combined as a single viewablescreen, the system orientation may be considered double tablet mode. Inone example embodiment, it is contemplated that a double tabletorientation with portrait page orientation have a relative hinge angleof between approximately 160° and approximately 200°.

FIG. 6 illustrates a laptop orientation 600 for the dual displayinformation handling system embodiment of the present disclosure. In theembodiment of FIG. 6, a first display screen 610 and a second displayscreen 620 are connected via a hinge 630 having a hinge azimuthorientation at 0° or perpendicular to the sight line of a viewer. Thehinge is designed so that the dual display information handling systemmay be arranged in an open position at approximately 100° relative anglebetween the two display screens and where the front of both displayscreens are viewable. A range of dual tablet orientation relative hingeangles between the two display screens is contemplated, so long as thelower or base display screen 620 is usable for an application interfacesuch as a virtual keyboard. In one example embodiment, it iscontemplated that laptop orientation have a relative hinge angle ofbetween approximately 90° and approximately 120°.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C illustrate tablet orientations 700A, 700B, and 700Cfor the dual display information handling system embodiment of thepresent disclosure. In the embodiments of FIG. 7A, 7B, and 7C, a firstdisplay screen 710 and a second display screen 720 are connected viahinge 730 where the hinge 730 is fully open so that the back sides ofthe two display screens 710 and 720 are in contact or nearly in contact.In orientation mode 700A, first display screen 710 is viewable andsecond display screen 720 is folded behind. Orientation of the device isin landscape page orientation in this embodiment. In orientation mode700B, the second display screen 720 is viewable in the front of thedevice in landscape page orientation and the first display screen isfolded behind. Orientation 700C is similar to orientation mode 700Aexcept that the device is in a portrait page orientation. Not shown, aportrait page orientation mode with the second display screen viewablein the front of the device is also contemplated. In these tablet modeorientation embodiments, the relative hinge angle of hinge 730 isapproximately 360°. A range of tablet orientation mode hinge angles iscontemplated so long as one display screen is the primary viewed displayscreen. In one example embodiment, it is contemplated that tablet modeorientation have a relative hinge angle of between approximately 340°and approximately 360°.

FIG. 8 illustrates a book mode orientation 800 for the dual displayinformation handling system embodiment of the present disclosure. In theembodiment of FIG. 8, a first display screen 810 and a second displayscreen 820 are connected via a hinge 830 having a hinge azimuthorientation at approximately 0° or parallel to the sight line of aviewer. The hinge is designed so that the dual display informationhandling system may be arranged in an open position at approximately 90°relative angle between the two display screens and where the front ofboth display screens are viewable. A range of dual tablet orientationhinge angles, or the relative hinge angle between the two displayscreens, is contemplated with both display screens to be viewed withimages in portrait page orientation. In one example embodiment, it iscontemplated that book mode orientation have a relative hinge angle ofbetween approximately 20° and approximately 180°. Note that this mayoverlap somewhat with one embodiment of portrait page orientation for adual screen device in double tablet orientation mode.

FIG. 9 illustrates a media display mode orientation 900 for the dualdisplay information handling system embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, a first display screen 910 anda second display screen 920 are connected via a hinge 930 having a hingeazimuth orientation at approximately 90° or a hinge line perpendicularto the sight line of a viewer. The hinge is designed so that the dualdisplay information handling system may be arranged in an open positionat approximately 305° relative angle between the two display screens andwhere the front of one display screen is viewable and the other displayscreen is face-down. However, a range of relative hinge angle betweenthe two display screens is contemplated in media display modeorientation 900 however. In one example embodiment, it is contemplatedthat media display mode orientation have a relative hinge angle ofbetween approximately 250° and approximately 340°. Note that this mayoverlap somewhat with one embodiment of portrait page orientation tentorientation mode described below. However, in media display modeorientation 900, one display screen is generally facing in a downwardorientation and unlikely to be viewable.

FIG. 10 illustrates a tent mode orientation 1000 for the dual displayinformation handling system embodiment of the present disclosure. In theembodiment of FIG. 10, a first display screen 1010 and a second displayscreen 1020 are connected via a hinge 1030 having a hinge azimuthorientation at approximately 90° or a hinge line perpendicular to thesight line of a viewer. The hinge is designed so that the dual displayinformation handling system may be arranged in an open position atapproximately 305° relative angle between the two display screens andwhere the front of one display screen is viewable on one side while theother display screen is viewable on the other side. In an exampleembodiment, a range of relative hinge angles between approximately 180°and 350° between the two display screens is contemplated for tent modeorientation 1000. When both display screens are to be viewed with imagesin landscape page orientation from opposite sides, tent mode orientationmay take effect. In one example embodiment, it is contemplated that tentmode orientation have a relative hinge angle of between approximately200° and approximately 340° . Portrait page orientation mode viewing isalso contemplated in some embodiments of tent mode orientation. Notethat the relative hinge angle may overlap with other embodiments, suchas one embodiment of media display mode orientation or even single ordual table mode.

Each orientation mode is not necessarily separate from other orientationmodes in available ranges of relative angle or hinge azimuth orientationof the hinge. Moreover, all angles including hinge azimuth anglesrelative to a viewer's line of sight are approximate and may varysubstantially. For example, in hinge azimuth angles a variance may be upto +/−30°. This is due, for example, to variation of a viewer's positionwhile using the dual display information handling system includingsubstantial range of view point, head position, and body position.Relative hinge angles may also vary by several degrees of orientationand may be set to any range of relative angles that meet the functionalneeds of the usage mode. The usage mode selected by the display dualdisplay power management system may depend on the working softwareapplication context of the running software applications as well asinput from sensors detecting states of usage activity of the dualdisplay information handling system.

FIG. 11 shows a flow diagram illustrating implementing a dual displaypower management system for a dual display device according to oneembodiment of the disclosure. Sensor data, state of usage activity data,and working software application context data are received and processedto determine the orientation, motion, usage and running softwareapplication environment of the dual display information handling system.The power management application then selects a power managementstrategy to automatically engage if policy parameters are triggered,unless an override status exists or an override command is received. Thedual display device is then placed in a power management state thatimplements the power management strategy.

The process begins at 1102 where the dual display information handlingsystem is booted up or wakes from a dormant sleep state. The boot kernelwill invoke an initial power management state or mode from provisioningthat is default to the dual display information handling system uponboot up at 1104. Upon a wake command from a dormant state, the mostrecent power management state and mode stored in a memory device by thedisplay dual display power management system may be invoked by theprocessors at 1104. Alternatively, the system may resort to a defaultpower management state and mode, such as from provisioning, uponreceiving a wake command at 1104.

Proceeding to 1106 of the present embodiment, an accumulator sensor hubreceives sensor data relating to orientation of the dual displayinformation handling system. Multiple orientation sensors in the dualdisplay information handling system, including duplicate types ofsensors as described in more detail above, may send data to the sensorhub. The sensor hub collects this data at 1106. As described above withreference to FIG. 3, the sensor hub may perform a fusion and grooming ofthe raw sensor data into a useable form of positional data for the dualdisplay information handling system and its display screens. In oneembodiment, the sensor hub may communicate and receive data from thefollowing sensors via a bus connection such as I2C: a digital gyroscope1107, an accelerometer 1108, a geomagnetic field sensor 1109, a Dopplershift detector 1110, and/or an electric-mechanical hinge angle sensor1111. One or more of these sensors may not communicate with the sensorhub, but may instead communicate directly with the processor chipset.For example, the Doppler shift detector 1110 may be one or moremicrophones that directly connect to the processor chipsets via theaudio system and its controllers. Other sensors, such as usage activitystate sensors discussed below may be connected though the sensor hub forfusion and grooming of raw sensor data, or they may be connecteddirectly to the processor chipset operating the dual display powermanagement system code instructions. By way of example, the ambientlight sensor or the Hall Effect sensor discussed below, are contemplatedas connecting through a sensor hub microcontroller.

At 1112, a processor such as the CPU determines what the orientationparameters are and matches those orientation parameters to one or moredevice orientation modes. For example, the processor running codeinstructions of a power management application may determine relativeangle between two display screens and hinge azimuth orientation. Thepower management application also may determine 3-D spatial orientationof the dual display information handling system as a whole and theorientation of one or more of its display screens. Proceeding to 1114,the dual display power management system determines if there isadditional ongoing motion by the dual display information handlingsystem. If so, the system proceeds back to 1112 to re-determine relativeangle and hinge azimuth orientation parameters to further determine anew possible orientation mode of the device for the next usage. Somemotion, such as motion due to travel in a vehicle may alter sensor datasuch as geomagnetic field values, but should not trigger thisrecalculation. So a threshold of motion detection level must be reachedto indicate a configuration transformation at 1114.

If no configuration transformation motion is detected at 1114, the flowproceeds to 1116 where usage activity state data is received. Stateusage activity sensors may include a camera 1117, an ambient lightsensor 1118, a Hall Effect sensor system 1119, a touch or hover sensor1120, and a proximity sensor 1121. Each usage activity state sensor maybe operated by independent drivers. Some, such as the touch/hover systemmay even have its own controller. As stated above, these usage activitystate sensors may also be connected via the sensor hub microcontrolleror may connect directly to the dual display power management systemoperating on processors in the core chipset(s).

Proceeding to 1122, the dual display power management system for thedual display information handling system determines the working softwareapplication context. The system determines which software applicationcontext category the working software application(s) fall into. Upondetermining the software applications context of the dual displayinformation handling system, the flow proceeds to 1124 to access apolicy table to determine a usage mode selection from orientationcriteria, working software application context criteria, and usageactivity state criteria.

Examples of usage mode characteristics that may be used selected from bythe display mode selector of the dual display power management systemare shown below in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Usage Mode Characteristics APPROXIMATE EXAMPLE WORKING TYPEORIENTATION POWER CONTEXT Laptop Relative hinge Top display at highOffice applications; email; angle 85° to 135°; brightness level;websurfing; video; other Hinge azimuth at 0° Base display (keyboard)applications where a top and lying flat on dimmed to 50-90% display isprimarily viewed. surface. Book mode Relative hinge Power modificationbased Reading; note taking; angle 0° to 160°; on gaze or active windowwebsurfing. Hinge azimuth at determination; CPU 90°. power reduced;camera power not reduced. Dual tablet Relative hinge Side-by-sidedisplays in Reading; note taking; Office mode angle 160° to 200°.portrait page orientation applications; websurfing; or landscape pagegaming; web apps; music; orientation; Power other applications.modification based on gaze or active window determination. Dual tabletRelative hinge Both displays act as Office applications, mode angle 160°to 200°. single display. websurfing, video; gaming; web apps; music;reading; other applications. Tent mode Relative hinge Power down backMedia consumption such as angle 200° to 340°; display. video; music;websurfing; Hinge azimuth at presentations; other 90°. applications.Tent mode Relative hinge Duplicate display driver Dual screen sharingcontext angle 200° to 340°; initiated; both displays with mediaconsumption or Hinge azimuth at powered. other applications. 90°. Mediadisplay Relative hinge Power down face-down Media consumption such asmode angle 250° to 340°; display. video; music; video; Hinge azimuth atwebsurfing; presentations; 90°; one display websurfing; other screenface-down. applications. Tablet mode Relative hinge Power down bottom orReading; notetaking; Office angle 340° to 360°. back display.applications; video; music; websurfing; web apps; presentations; otherapplications.

Proceeding to decision diamond 1126, the dual display power managementsystem determines whether an override command has been received or anoverride status has been set or changed to disable the dual displaypower management system activity. A general override command may bereceived to disable the dual display power management system of the dualdisplay information handling system. Alternatively, override commands orsettings may be specific to each power management action executed toreduce power consumption for a usage mode at 1126. In the latter case,the override will be effective upon determination by the dual displaypower management system of the determined usage mode as described above.

Proceeding to 1128, the dual display power management system willexecute commands for a power saving strategy in accordance with thedetermined usage mode. The power saving strategy is executed in anembedded controller in the processor chipset(s) which manage a batterymanagement unit (BMU) as part of a power management unit (PMU) in theBIOS/firmware operating on the main CPU processors as part of the poweroperating system. The PMU (and BMU) control power provision to thedisplay screens and other components of the dual display informationhandling system. In an example embodiment, the dual display powermanagement system may determine to power down a display screen into asleep mode depending on the usage mode determined by the display modeselector. In an alternative embodiment, the dual display powermanagement system may elect to reduce power to one or both screensdepending on usage mode. Power reduction may be achieved by dimming thebacklighting of the screen or may be achieved by reducing the refreshrate set by the display driver for the reduced display screen. Otherpower reduction effects may also be deployed for one or both displayscreens as understood in the art.

FIG. 12 illustrates adjustments made to the dual display informationhandling system indicating a change in orientation, usage activity stateor working software application context. Such adjustments may includefor example changing the configuration of the dual display informationhandling system during usage or switching to a different active softwareapplication or applications. The dual display power management system ofthe dual information handling system monitors these adjustments.Beginning at 1202, the system has a currently determined display usagemode and potentially a deployed power saving strategy. At decisiondiamond 1204, the dual display power management system receives datainput detecting motion. Such motion may be via accelerometer or digitalgyroscope for example. Upon detection of motion, the dual display powermanagement system proceeds to 1206 where the orientation parameters arerecalculated by the sensor hub and the processor operating the dualdisplay power management system code instructions. The dual displaypower management system determines that the motion has settled in a newstatic position to indicate a new dual display information handlingsystem configuration of display screens. This new static positionincludes the caveat that some motion still be possible withouttriggering a re-determination such as minor adjustments by the user ortravel in a vehicle as discussed above. At 1208, a state sensorindicates a change in state of usage or activity of the dual displayinformation handling system. Upon receiving indication of a change in asensor indicator, the dual display power management system re-determinesthe state of usage parameters for the dual information handling system.At 1210, the dual display power management system operating on theprocessor chipset detects a change in active software. The systemproceeds to 1212 to re-determine the working software applicationcontext and categorize the active application or applications operatingon the dual display information handling system. Any combination of theorientation parameters 1206, the state of usage parameters 1208, and theworking software application context 1212 may be changed by the user.Those re-determined parameters or contexts are utilized by the dualdisplay power management system at 1224 to access a policy table todetermine a usage mode selection from orientation criteria, workingsoftware application context criteria, and usage activity statecriteria. The display mode selector of the dual display power managementsystem selects from the policy table, such as Table 1 above to determinethe new display usage mode.

Proceeding to decision diamond 1226, the dual display power managementsystem determines whether an override command has been received or anoverride status has been set or changed to disable the dual displaypower management system determination or one or more specific powersavings implementations as described above.

Proceeding to 1228 if there is no override, the dual display powermanagement system will execute commands for a power saving strategy inaccordance with the determined usage mode. The power saving strategy isexecuted in an embedded controller in the processor chipset(s) whichmanage a battery management unit (BMU) as part of a power managementunit (PMU) in the BIOS/firmware of the dual display information handlingsystem as described above.

Table 2 shows example level settings for power savings strategies foreither display screen in the dual display information handling system.The example settings of the embodiment of Table 2 may be applied toeither screen depending on the usage mode and sensor inputs received.

TABLE 2 Power Savings Characteristics TCON + BACKLIGHT + BRIGHT-DRIVERS + DC-DC/ ENERGY NESS LCD DRIVERS TOTAL 0 nits (off) 0.100 00.100 W 200 nits (~50%) 0.100 0.530 0.630 W 450 nits (~100%) 0.100 1.2281.328 W

Table 2 is only one example of settings. It is contemplated that otherbrightness levels may be used to scale to the ˜100% level. For example,display brightness may scale up to 600 nits and power levels may reachor exceed 1.5 W. Additionally, more segmented scaling of brightnesslevels may be optimal based on software application contexts and tasksto be accomplished on either or both display screens. This isparticularly true with nit levels that reach or exceed power usagelevels of 1.5 W or more. More brightness levels with lower powerconsumption, but still sufficient brightness may be appropriate forsettings of working software application contexts on a display screengiven certain state of usage activity and orientation parameters.

Referring back to the display usage modes described in Table 1, severalexample embodiment power saving strategies may be deployed to reducepower consumption by either display screen without degradation of usageexperience. In one embodiment, the dual display information handlingsystem may be determined to be in book mode and operating a readingapplication. State of usage input from a camera system may detect usergaze at the first display screen while a reading software application isbeing utilized. In response, the above-described dual display powermanagement system may elect to dim the second display screen to ˜50%.The system may also elect to lower the contrast ratio on the seconddisplay screen so the second display screen is less distracting relativeto the first display screen. Upon the user's gaze changing to the seconddisplay screen, the camera gaze detection sensor will update the stateusage activity parameter. The system will adjust accordingly and switchthe power saving strategy deployed. New commands will dim the firstdisplay screen to ˜50% while returning the second display screen to fullbrightness. The contrast ratios may be adjusted in conjunction with thischange as well so that the second display screen returns to a normalcontrast while the first display screen contrast ratio is reduced. It iscontemplated that the response may not occur with only a gaze changethat amounts to a glance. A threshold change in gaze will trigger thechange in power savings strategy with the potential for a transitionbetween adjusting dimness between the screens. For example, there may bea transition time where both screens are fully bright to allow for theuser to glance back and forth between screens. After the transitiontime, the first screen may then be dimmed according to the abovediscussion.

In an additional power saving strategy, the dimmed screen in the aboveembodiment may be considered dormant after a period of time. For areading application where the content is periodically refreshed from thedisplay device driver, the power saving system may employ an additionalpower savings measure. The system may elect to reduce the refresh rateof the content on the dimmed screen. Alternatively, the system may electto use only the image from the last frame buffer update and not refreshuntil the dimmed screen is activated by a state usage sensor ororientation sensor input. This will limit GPU churn for the displayscreen that has been dimmed and designated as dormant. Upon activation,the previously-dormant display screen will return to its normal refreshrate (e.g. 60 Hz in many instances) and jump to the current version ofthe content to be displayed there. Variations on the several powersaving adjustment strategies described in this paragraph arecontemplated in any combination of individual strategies or allstrategies.

In another example embodiment, the dual display information handlingsystem may be determined to be in book mode and operating a note takingapplication. In this mode, the gaze detection state usage data may beused implement a power savings strategy similar to the above strategywith the reading application. Alternatively, the touchscreen/hoversystem may detect interaction with the first display screen but nointeraction with the second display screen. The lack of activity on thesecond display screen relative to the first display screen causes apower savings strategy to be deployed where the second display screen isdimmed to ˜50%. The second display screen may also have its contrastratio reduced to limit distraction from that screen. As before, thedimmed screen may be designated dormant after a period of time and theadditional measure of reducing refresh rate or only displaying the mostrecent frame buffer contents may be deployed to minimize usage of theGPU for the dormant display screen. Upon a switch of gaze or touch/hoverfeedback from the sensor associated with the second display screen, thatdisplay screen may be returned to full brightness and normal contrastratio. After a transition period with inactivity or no gaze at the firstdisplay screen, the power savings strategy deployed may generatecommands to reduce the brightness and contrast ratio of the firstdisplay screen. Variations on the several power saving adjustmentstrategies described in this paragraph are contemplated in anycombination of individual strategies or all strategies.

In another example embodiment, the dual display information handlingsystem may be determined to be in tent mode. The dual display powermanagement system detects which screen is being viewed, or in the casewhere the dual display information handling system has a designatedprimary screen (e.g. the display screen having a camera device), theviewed screen or primary screen remains activated while the seconddisplay screen or back display screen opposite the user is powered down.The dual display power management system then must determine if thestate of usage activity includes dual screen sharing whereby the seconddisplay screen or back screen is being viewed by another user. This maybe done via a prompt to a user on one display screen such as a primarydisplay screen about dual sharing activity usage. Affirmative feedbackwould trigger a dual sharing usage mode. Alternatively, first and secondcameras or first and second proximity sensors on the respective displayscreens can determine the presence of two users and activate a dualsharing activity usage state for both display screens in tent mode. Withdual screen sharing mode, the dual information handling system providesfor duplicate display driver initiation to provide a duplicate image onboth display screens. As an alternative embodiment, the display screensmay operate independently allowing each user to interact with the screenand applications on the dual display information handling system asdesired. In dual screen sharing mode, both screens will be powered andset to a default brightness setting.

The dual display information handling system may be determined to be inmedia display mode in another embodiment. The dual display powermanagement system detects which screen is being viewed, or which screenof the dual display information handling system is oriented downward andunlikely to be viewed. For example, the orientation detection sensorsand system may detect the dual screen system configuration as having onedisplay screen facing downward. A proximity sensor on the downwardfacing display screen may also detect a surface such as a tabletop, lap,or other surface upon which the dual display device is resting. In thisparticular case, media display mode is determined as the usage mode forthe dual display information handling system. The dual display powermanagement system then provides for commands to power down the downwardfacing screen and turning off such a screen will reduce or eliminate GPUprocessing for that screen. In an alternative embodiment, the dualdisplay information handling system may have a designated primary screen(e.g. the display screen having a camera device) which is designated asthe powered display screen such that a secondary screen must be placedfacing downward during media display mode. Thus, the dual display powermanagement system will determine to power down the secondary screen whenthis orientation is detected. In another alternative, first and secondcameras, first and second proximity sensors, or first and second ambientlight sensor may be used to detect a state activity usage mode wherebythe dual screen system is oriented with one screen resting face down ona surface. This sensor input may determine media display mode andtrigger powering down the downward-facing display screen.

The dual display information handling system may be determined to be intablet mode in another embodiment whereby the relative hinge angle is340° to 360°, or fully open. The dual display power management systemreceives state usage activity data indicating that the system is beingused as a single tablet. For example, a Hall Effect sensor in the backof each display screen may be triggered to indicate a completely opendual display device where one screen is unlikely to be viewed. Inanother example, the orientation detection sensors and system may detectthat the dual screen system configuration has one display screen facingdownward. Or alternatively, a proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, orcamera on the bottom display screen may also detect a surface such as atabletop, lap, or other surface upon which the dual display device isresting. A camera on the active display screen may also be used todetect a user. Upon determination that the orientation of the dualdisplay information handling system is in a tablet usage mode with onescreen facing down or away from the user, the dual display powermanagement system then provides for commands to power down the away ordownward facing screen. Turning off such a screen will reduce oreliminate GPU processing for that screen. In an alternative embodiment,the dual display information handling system may have a designatedprimary screen (e.g. the display screen having a camera device) which isdesignated as the powered display screen in tablet mode such that asecondary screen must be placed facing downward or away during tabletmode. Thus, the dual display power management system will determine topower down the secondary screen when the tablet usage mode orientationis detected. In another alternative, first and second cameras, first andsecond proximity sensors, or first and second ambient light sensor maybe used to detect a state activity usage mode whereby the dual screensystem is oriented with one screen resting face down on a surface. Thissensor input may determine media display mode and trigger powering downthe downward-facing display screen.

In yet another embodiment, the dual display information handling systemmay be determined to be in laptop mode and operating an office oremail-type application. The software application context may indicatethe presence of a touchscreen keyboard for one of the display screens,namely a base or lower display screen. Other application content ispresented on the other display screen. The display screen orientated asthe base display screen with a virtual keyboard need not be powered atfull brightness. Therefore, the dual display power management system mayset the base or bottom display screen to ˜50% level or other reducedlevel of brightness. The system may also elect to increase the contrastratio on the base or lower display screen so that the virtual keyboardkeys are still sufficiently viewable by the user. The top screenpresenting the other application content may be powered to fullbrightness or other desired brightness level. In an additional powersaving strategy, the dimmed lower or base screen have a reduced therefresh rate of the virtual keyboard reduce GPU function for thatscreen. And as before, variations on the several power saving adjustmentstrategies described in this paragraph are contemplated in anycombination of individual strategies or all strategies.

FIG. 13 shows a flow diagram illustrating implementing a softwareapplication window locator system for a dual display device according toone embodiment of the disclosure. Sensor data, state of usage activitydata, and working software application context data are received andprocessed to determine the orientation, motion, usage and runningsoftware application environment, including operating states andpriority rank of simultaneously running software applications. Thesoftware application window locator application then locates softwareapplication display windows and virtual tools for display on the dualdisplay device based on priority rank of the operating states for eachsoftware application. In some cases, only software applications withhigher operating state ranks may be displayed while lower rankedsoftware applications may be minimized or prioritized under (i.e.,hidden) software application display windows on the top viewed layer ofthe displays. The software application display windows are locatedautomatically based on whether policy parameters are triggered. Anoverride status or an override command may disable the automaticsoftware display window arrangement by the software application windowlocator. The arrangement of the software application display windows andany virtual tools are then rendered on the dual displays of the dualdisplay device.

The process begins at 1302 where the dual display information handlingsystem is booted up or wakes from a dormant sleep state. The boot kernelinvokes software application windows for software applications initiatedupon boot-up from provisioning and these software application windowsare located in default locations at 1304 based on an initial orientationmode. Upon a wake command from a dormant state, the most recentarrangement of software application windows stored in a memory device bythe display dual display device application locator system may beinvoked by the processors at 1304. Alternatively, the system may resortto a default software application display window arrangement, such asfrom provisioning, upon receiving a wake command at 1304.

Proceeding to 1306 of the present embodiment, an accumulator sensor hubreceives sensor data relating to orientation of the dual displayinformation handling system. Multiple orientation sensors in the dualdisplay information handling system, including duplicate types ofsensors as described in more detail above, may send data to the sensorhub. The sensor hub collects this data at 1306. As described above, thesensor hub may perform a fusion and grooming of the raw sensor data intoa useable form of positional data for the dual display informationhandling system and its display screens. In one embodiment, the sensorhub may communicate and receive data from the following sensors via abus connection such as I2C: a digital gyroscope 1307, an accelerometer1308, a geomagnetic field sensor 1309, a Doppler shift detector 1310,and/or an electric-mechanical hinge angle sensor 1311. One or more ofthese sensors may not communicate with the sensor hub, but may insteadcommunicate directly with the processor chipset. For example, theDoppler shift detector 1310 may be one or more microphones that directlyconnect to the processor chipsets via the audio system and itscontrollers. Other sensors, such as usage activity state sensorsdiscussed below may be connected though the sensor hub for fusion andgrooming of raw sensor data, or they may be connected directly to theprocessor chipset operating the dual display power management systemcode instructions. By way of example, the ambient light sensor or theHall Effect sensor discussed below, are contemplated as connectingthrough a sensor hub microcontroller.

At 1312, a processor determines what the orientation parameters are andmatches those orientation parameters to one or more device orientationmodes. For example, the processor running code instructions for adisplay mode selector in an application locator system may determinerelative angle between two display screens and hinge azimuthorientation. The display mode selector of the application locator systemalso may determine 3-D spatial orientation of the dual displayinformation handling system as a whole and the orientation of one ormore of its display screens. Proceeding to 1314, the dual display deviceapplication locator system determines if there is additional ongoingmotion by the dual display information handling system. If so, thesystem proceeds back to 1312 to re-determine relative angle and hingeazimuth orientation parameters to further determine a new possibleorientation mode of the device for the next usage. Some motion, such asmotion due to travel in a vehicle may alter sensor data such asgeomagnetic field values, but should not trigger this recalculation.Thus, a threshold of motion detection level must be reached to indicatea configuration transformation at 1314.

If no configuration transformation motion is detected at 1314, the flowproceeds to 1316 where usage activity state data is received. Stateusage activity sensors may include a camera 1317, an ambient lightsensor 1318, a Hall Effect sensor system 1319, a touch or hover sensor1320, and a proximity sensor 1321. Each usage activity state sensor maybe operated by independent drivers. Some, such as the touch/hoversystem, may even have its own controller. As stated above, these usageactivity state sensors may also be connected via the sensor hubmicrocontroller or may connect directly to the dual display powermanagement system operating on processors in the core chipset(s).

Proceeding to 1322, the application locator system for the dual displayinformation handling system determines the working software applicationcontext. The application locator system determines a priority of theworking software applications. More particularly, the context selectionmodule determines which software applications are active and consults apolicy table to determine which applications would likely require higherpriority for a user's attention versus those that would likely requireless attention on the dual display device. Part of this ranking dependson the operating state of the software applications. For example, a webbrowser being actively reviewed or interacted with would have a higheroperating state rank than the same software application conducting apassive download of information. An application having an operatingstate requesting input via a virtual tool, such as a virtual keyboard orvirtual navigation device, would also indicate active attention from auser and require a higher priority rank. A videoconferencing applicationwith an incoming call or an ongoing video conference will have anelevated operating state rank relative to the same application with noactive video conference call. Upon determining the software applicationscontext and operating states of the applications running on a dualdisplay information handling system, the flow proceeds to 1324 to accessa policy table to determine a display location and priority of therunning software applications. This depends in part on the usage modeselection from relative orientation criteria, working softwareapplication context rankings, and usage activity state criteria.

Examples of operating state ranking in view of usage modecharacteristics in a policy table used by an application locator systemof the dual display power management system are shown below in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Usage Mode Characteristics and Application Operating State RankRANK CONTEXT EXAMPLE TYPE (1-5; 5 = HIGHEST) OPERATING STATE LOCATIONLaptop; Media 5 Video conference active. Top display has softwaredisplay mode; application window (e.g., tablet mode primary display,should have integrated camera) Dual tablet 5 Video conference active.One display (e.g., primary mode; Book display) displays software Mode;Tent application window. mode Laptop; Dual 4 Software application Topdisplay displays software tablet mode requests data input viaapplication window; (landscape page) virtual tool: for example, Basedisplay displays virtual Office applications; email; keyboard, otherapplications websurfing; gaming. take lower priority. Dual tablet 4Software application One display (e.g., a primary mode (portraitrequests data input via display) displays software page); Book virtualtool: for example, application window and virtual Mode Officeapplications; email; keyboard beneath; websurfing; gaming. Seconddisplay screen may have lower priority applications. Dual tablet 3Software application Software application display mode (portrait displaywindow is actively window remains in current or landscape beinginteracted with via location with high priority. page); Book touch orstylus or actively Mode viewed (gaze) by user. For example, reading,note taking, websurfing. Laptop 3 Software application Softwareapplication display display window is actively window remains in currentbeing interacted with or location with high priority. actively viewed(gaze) by user. For example, Office applications, email, websurfing,gaming. Tent mode; 3 Media consumption such as Display softwareapplication Media display video; music; websurfing; window on screenfacing user. mode; tablet presentations; other mode. applications.Laptop 2 Software application If higher priority application is displaywindow is not active, base display displays subject of activeinteraction software application subject to by user. virtual keyboard ifavailable. Alternatively, software application window is hidden orminimized. Dual tablet 2 Software application If higher priorityapplication is mode (portrait display window is not active, second(e.g., non- or landscape subject of active interaction primary) displaydisplays page); Book by user. software application subject to Modevirtual keyboard if available. Alternatively, the software applicationwindow is hidden or minimized. Dual tablet 2 Video conference If higherpriority application is mode (portrait application not active. active,second (e.g., non- page); Book primary) display displays Mode; Laptopsoftware application subject to mode; Tent virtual keyboard ifavailable. mode; Media Alternatively, the software display mode;application window is hidden or tablet mode. minimized. Dual tablet 1Data downloading; music Lowest priority displays mode (portraitstreaming. software application window in page); Book second or bottomdisplay screen Mode; Laptop if available; otherwise hidden mode; Tent orminimized. mode; Media display mode; tablet mode.

Table 3 is but one example embodiment of a policy table for use with anapplication locator system as described in several embodiments herein.The ranking scale may involve any number of levels and may include moreor less rank levels than four. The number of working software contextsand operating states may also be more granular and involve more policytable entries. The policy table entries may be more specifically tailorlocation outcomes to usage mode types or working software contexts.Additionally, the policy table may be customizable to reflectpreferences of a user for placement and priority rank of softwareapplications under various operating states. For example, a user may notwant to be interrupted when a video conference call comes in above othersoftware application activity and set up a customized “do not disturb”setting lowering the rank of video conference call applications.

Proceeding to decision diamond 1326, the dual display device applicationlocator system determines whether an override command has been receivedor an override status has been set or changed to disable the applicationlocator system activity. A general override command may be received todisable the application locator system of the dual display informationhandling system. Alternatively, override commands or settings may bespecific to each application locator system action executed to locatesoftware application display windows or virtual tools for a usage modeat 1326. In example case, the override command may be an action by auser, received via touch input or other input, to move, minimize, orelevate one or more software display windows differently from thesoftware application display window arrangement determined by theapplication locator system.

Proceeding to 1328, the application locator system will execute commandsfor locating software application display windows and virtual tools inaccordance with the software application context ranking and determinedusage mode. The determination of the priority ranking and locations ofthe software display windows is executed in an embedded controller inthe processor chipset(s) which manages commands to a display manager orwindows manager in the BIOS/firmware operating on the main CPUprocessors as part of the operating system or on the GPU as part of thedisplay system. The display manager controls commands for displaying,locating and maintaining software application display windows or virtualtools to be rendered on the dual display screens via the display devicedriver(s).

In an example embodiment, the application locator system may determineto prioritize a software application requesting input via a virtual tooland locate the application display window and virtual tool in the samedisplay or on two different displays depending on the usage modeselected. Further discussion of this embodiment is below. The requestingsoftware application and virtual tool will be ranked ahead of softwareapplications with a lower operating state rank.

In an alternative embodiment, the application locator system mayprioritize actively used software applications, such as those havingdetected interaction or viewing by a user, over software applicationsrunning in a manner not as acutely requiring a user's visual attention.For example, the application locator system may rank an operating statefor a software application being actively viewed or interacted withabove an operating state for a software application downloading data orstreaming music. In such an embodiment, the application locator systemwill elevate other more highly ranked software application displaywindows or virtual tools above the non-active or downloadingapplication. Higher ranked software application display windows will belocated for viewing on one or both of the display screens. For almostany usage mode, the software application display windows for lowerranked non-active or downloading applications may be displayed on asecondary display screen if available, hidden behind other softwareapplication display windows, or minimized. If non-active or downloadingapplications are displayed on a second display screen, then in oneembodiment the dual display power management system may work incombination with the application locator system to dim the seconddisplay screen as a power savings strategy as well.

In another example embodiment, the dual screen information handlingsystem may be determined to be in book mode and operating a readingapplication. State of usage input from a camera system may detect usergaze at the first display screen while a reading software application isbeing utilized. In response, the above-described application locatorsystem will highly rank the reading application with an operating statehaving the gaze attention of the viewer. The application locator systemwill elevate the reading application above most other softwareapplications in the multitasking environment. In one embodiment, theapplication locator system will keep the reading application displaywindow as highest priority on the display screen being viewed to avoidinterrupting the user. In an alternative embodiment, the user may havedesignated a primary screen preference and if the reading applicationwith gaze attention is the highest operating state rank, the applicationlocator system may locate the reading application display screen on theprimary screen.

In another embodiment, the application locator system may prioritize anactive video conference application or incoming video conference callabove all other software applications and place the video conferenceapplication display window on a display screen with an integratedcamera. In some cases, the dual screen device has only one integratedcamera. The display screen with the integrated camera will likely bedesignated as the primary display screen in that instance. In laptopusage mode, the video conference application display window will appearin the top display screen if both display screens have integratedcameras. In tent mode, the video conference application display windowwill appear in the user-facing display screen if both display screenshave integrated cameras. In dual tablet mode when both display screensare in a usage mode to act as a single display, then the videoconference application display window is displayed across both displayscreens. If the display screens display separate information side byside in dual tablet mode or the usage mode is book mode, then the videoconference application display window will display on the primarydisplay screen which can be either display screen depending ondesignation. Alternatively, gaze location or proximity detection of theuser may determine the display screen used if both display screens haveintegrated cameras. Once the video conference has terminated, theoperating state rank is lowered for the video conference application.Then other, higher ranked software applications will be located on thetwo display screens via the application window locator system.

If a video conference application display window is displayed on aprimary screen, then in one embodiment the dual display power managementsystem may work in combination with the application locator system todim the second display screen as a power savings strategy as well duringthe active video conference unless an override command is received suchas touch feedback to the second screen.

Many variations are contemplated on the embodiments using theapplication locator system alone and in combination with the dualdisplay power management system in establishing automatic locations ofsoftware application display windows and virtual tools as well asdeploying power savings strategies.

FIG. 14 illustrates adjustments made to the dual display informationhandling system indicating a change in orientation, usage activity stateor working software application context. This may include a change inoperating state rank in the working software application context, achange in physical orientation of the dual screen device, or a change inlocation or usage by the user via usage state activity data. Suchadjustments may include for example changing the configuration of thedual display information handling system during usage, switching to adifferent active software application or applications, having a changeoccur in an active software application that changes operating staterank, or repositioning of the user with respect to the dual screendevice. The application locator system of the dual information handlingsystem monitors these adjustments. Beginning at 1402, the currentlydetermined display usage mode and location arrangement of softwareapplication display windows and virtual tools is established.

At decision diamond 1404, the application locator system receives datainput detecting motion. Such motion may be via accelerometer or digitalgyroscope for example. Upon detection of motion, the application locatorsystem proceeds to 1406 where the orientation parameters arerecalculated by the sensor hub and the processor operating the dualdisplay power management system code instructions. The applicationlocator system determines that the motion has settled in a new staticposition to indicate a new dual display information handling systemconfiguration of display screens and may be used to determine a usagemode. This new static position includes the caveat that some motionstill be possible without triggering a re-determination such as minoradjustments by the user or travel in a vehicle as discussed above.

At decision diamond 1408, a state sensor indicates a change in state ofusage or activity of the dual display information handling system. Uponreceiving indication of a change in a sensor indicator, the applicationlocator system re-determines the state of usage parameters for the dualinformation handling system at 1409.

At decision diamond 1410, the application locator system operating onthe processor chipset for the dual display device detects a change inactive software. The system proceeds to 1412 to re-determine the workingsoftware application context and rank the active software applicationoperating states for applications operating on the dual displayinformation handling system. Any combination of the orientationparameters 1406, the state of usage parameters 1408, and the workingsoftware application context 1412 may be changed. Those re-determinedparameters or contexts are utilized by the application locator system at1424 to access a policy table. The application locator systemre-determines usage mode selection from orientation criteria, workingsoftware application context operating states, and usage activity statecriteria. The application locator system selects from the policy table,such as Table 3 above, to determine ranking of the software applicationsbased on operating states and orientation modes.

Proceeding to decision diamond 1426, the application locator systemdetermines whether an override command has been received or an overridestatus has been set or changed to disable the application locator systemdetermination for one or more specific application locator systemactions as described above.

Proceeding to 1428 if there is no override, the application locatorsystem will execute commands for locating the software applicationdisplay windows and virtual tools in accordance with the determinedusage mode and software application operating state rankings. Commandsfor locating software application windows and virtual tools aredelivered to a display manager to locate and track the rendering ofthese on the dual display device via the GPU and display devicedriver(s).

The application operating states and usage modes described above inTable 3 are but an example policy table for determining rankings ofoperating states as they correspond with usage modes. These severalexample embodiment operating state rankings and display locations may bedeployed to facilitate quick and efficient access to desired softwareapplications in a multitasking environment running on a dual screeninformation handling system. The automatic display of softwareapplications with higher operating state ranking provides a better andmore fluid user experience with a dual screen system in determiningwhere to find or view software applications. In one alternativeembodiment, rankings, parameters, and window location choices may beentirely customizable by the user to permit preferences to be reflectedin the application locator system actions.

In another alternative embodiment, one of the two display screens may bedesignated as a primary screen while the second display screen is alower priority screen. In an example, the primary display screen mayhave an integrated camera whereas the secondary screen may not. Inanother example, the primary display screen and secondary display screenmay be interchangeable by the user via customizable settings for theapplication locator system. With the designation of a primary screen andsecondary screen, the location of higher ranked software applicationdisplay windows will be on the primary display over lower prioritysoftware application display windows displayed on the second displayscreen, subject to the location of virtual tools in instances such asthose described in Table 3 above.

FIG. 15 illustrates one embodiment of the operation of the applicationlocator system to locate software application display windows andvirtual tools according to disclosures herein. At 1501, the dual displayinformation handling system has two applications active with oneapplication per screen as detected by the application context module.The display mode selector may also determine the relative orientation ofthe dual screen device. A first software application requires input at1503 and calls up a virtual tool such as a virtual keyboard. Thischanges the operating state rank of the first software application. Forexample from policy Table 3, the rank may elevate to a rank of 4 or someother rank ahead of the operating state rank of the second softwareapplication.

Proceeding to decision diamond 1505, the application locator systemdetermines if the dual information handling system is being viewed inportrait page orientation or landscape page orientation. If in portraitpage orientation, the flow proceeds to 1507 where the applicationlocator system determines to locate the virtual keyboard on the samedisplay screen as the first software application under its softwareapplication display window. The application locator system has thusdetermined that the relative orientation for a usage mode is in dualtablet mode or book mode with both of the dual screens viewable. Thecommands are sent to the display manager to control rendering thevirtual keyboard on the display screen with the first softwareapplication according to the policy table. At 1509, the systemdetermines whether the input via the virtual keyboard is complete. Ifso, the operating state rank returns to its previous level and data issent to the software application to close the keyboard at 1511. If theinput is not complete, the virtual keyboard remains available for userinput.

If however, the application locator system determines that the dualinformation handling system is being viewed in landscape pageorientation at 1505, the flow proceeds to decision diamond 1513. In thiscase, the application locator system has thus determined that therelative orientation is in dual tablet mode or laptop mode with both ofthe dual screens viewable. At decision diamond 1513, the applicationlocator system determines whether the display screen with the firstsoftware application requesting input is the top screen or bottomscreen. In an example embodiment, the top screen may be designated asthe primary screen when the dual screen information handling system isin laptop mode. If the display screen with the first softwareapplication is the top screen relative to the location of the viewer,then the application locator system locates the virtual keyboard on thebottom screen at 1515. The application display window for the firstsoftware application remains on the top screen. In an additionalembodiment variation, a power savings measure may be employed to dim thesecond application on the second bottom display screen and also dim thevirtual keyboard on the bottom screen in accordance with the powersavings strategies such as those set forth above, for example those inTable 1 for laptop or dual tablet modes.

Commands are sent to the display manager to control rendering thevirtual keyboard on the bottom screen according to the policy tablerequirements. At decision diamond 1517, the system determines whetherthe input via the virtual keyboard is complete. If so, the operatingstate rank returns to its previous level and data is sent to thesoftware application to close the keyboard at 1519. If the input is notcomplete, the virtual keyboard remains available for user input on thebottom display screen.

If the application locator system determines that the display screenwith the first software application requesting input is the bottomdisplay screen relative to the viewer at decision diamond 1513, then theflow proceeds to 1521. At 1521, the application locator system relocatessoftware application display window for the first software applicationto the top display screen according to policy requirements. This may bethe primary display screen if the dual screen information handlingsystem is in laptop mode for example. The application locator systemaccesses the policy table to determine a location for the virtualkeyboard on the bottom screen at 1523. Then commands are sent to thedisplay manager to control rendering the virtual keyboard on the bottomscreen according to the policy table. At 1525, the system determineswhether the input via the virtual keyboard is complete. If so, theoperating state rank returns to its previous level and data is sent tothe software application to close the keyboard at 1527. If the input isnot complete, the virtual keyboard remains available for user input onthe bottom display screen. The flow proceeds to 1529 where the softwareapplication display window for the first software application isreturned to the original bottom display screen and the process ends.

Returning to FIG. 1, this block diagram shows the dual displayinformation handling system 10 capable of administering each of thespecific embodiments of the present disclosure. Some additional detailof another embodiment of system 10 may include the processor chipset 108with the CPU 105, GPU 106, or both. Moreover, system 10 can include mainmemory 109 and static memory or disk drive 110 that can communicate witheach other via one or more buses 118. As shown, system 10 may furtherinclude dual video display screens 125 and 135, such as liquid crystaldisplays (LCD), organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays, flat paneldisplays, or solid state displays. Additionally, system 10 may includeoptional external input device 115 such as a keyboard, and a cursorcontrol device such as a mouse. System 10 can also include a signalgeneration device or receiving device, such sound sensors 156, remotecontrol, and a network interface device 40. System 10 can represent aserver device whose resources can be shared by multiple client devices,or it can represent an individual client device, such as a desktoppersonal computer.

Dual display information handling system 10 can include a set ofinstructions that can be executed to cause the computer system toperform any one or more of the methods or computer based functionsdisclosed herein. System 10 may operate as a standalone device or may beconnected such as using a network, to other computer systems orperipheral devices.

In a networked deployment, dual display information handling system 10may operate in the capacity of a server or as a client user computer ina server-client user network environment, or as a peer computer systemin a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. System 10 canalso be implemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a PDA, amobile device, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, a communications device, a wireless telephone, a land-linetelephone, a control system, a camera, a scanner, a facsimile machine, aprinter, a pager, a personal trusted device, a web appliance, a networkrouter, switch or bridge, or any other machine capable of executing aset of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to betaken by that machine. In a particular embodiment, system 10 can beimplemented using electronic devices that provide voice, video or datacommunication. Further, while a single information handling system 10 isillustrated, the term “system” shall also be taken to include anycollection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointlyexecute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or morecomputer functions.

The main memory unit 109 and disk drive unit 110 may include acomputer-readable medium in which one or more sets of instructions suchas software can be embedded. The disk drive unit 110 also contains spacefor data storage. Further, the instructions may embody one or more ofthe methods or logic as described herein. In a particular embodiment,the instructions may reside completely, or at least partially, withinmain memory 109, the static memory or disk drive unit 110, and/or withinthe processor chipset(s) 108 during execution by the system 10. The mainmemory 109 and the processor chipset 108 also may includecomputer-readable media. The network interface device 40 can provideconnectivity to a network 50, (e.g. a wide area network (WAN)), a localarea network (LAN), wireless network, or other network.

In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations such asapplication specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can be constructed to implement one or more ofthe methods described herein. Applications that may include theapparatus and systems of various embodiments can broadly include avariety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodimentsdescribed herein may implement functions using two or more specificinterconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and datasignals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or asportions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, thepresent system encompasses software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein may be implemented by software programsexecutable by a computer system. Further, in an exemplary, non-limitedembodiment, implementations can include distributed processing,component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing.Alternatively, virtual computer system processing can be constructed toimplement one or more of the methods or functionality as describedherein.

The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable medium of mainmemory 109 and static memory or drive unit 110 that includesinstructions or receives and executes instructions responsive to apropagated signal; so that a device connected to a network interfacedevice 40 can communicate voice, video or data over the network 50.Further, the instructions may be transmitted or received over thenetwork 50 via the network interface device 40.

While the computer-readable medium is shown to be a single medium, theterm “computer-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiplemedia, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associatedcaches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term“computer-readable medium” shall also include any medium that is capableof storing, encoding, or carrying a set of instructions for execution bya processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or moreof the methods or operations disclosed herein.

In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, thecomputer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as amemory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatileread-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be arandom access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally,the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or opticalmedium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device to storeinformation received via carrier wave signals such as a signalcommunicated over a transmission medium. Furthermore, a computerreadable medium can store information received from distributed networkresources such as from a cloud-based environment. A digital fileattachment to an e-mail or other self-contained information archive orset of archives may be considered a distribution medium that isequivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the disclosure isconsidered to include any one or more of a computer-readable medium or adistribution medium and other equivalents and successor media, in whichdata or instructions may be stored.

Although only a few exemplary embodiments have been described in detailabove, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that manymodifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments withoutmaterially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of theembodiments of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of theembodiments of the present disclosure as defined in the followingclaims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to coverthe structures described herein as performing the recited function andnot only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information handling system comprising: aprimary integrated display device housing and a second integrateddisplay device housing attached via a hinge; a processor to determine afirst relative orientation of the primary integrated display devicehousing to the second integrated display device housing from a pluralityof orientation sensors; the processor to determine a working softwareapplication context by detecting at least a first software applicationrunning on the information handling system wherein the working softwareapplication context further includes an operating state rank of thefirst software application relative to other software applications; theprocessor detecting a required user input to the first softwareapplication; and an application window locator system for altering alocation of a first software application display window and a virtualinput softkey on a display device and selecting between the primaryintegrated display device housing and the second integrated displaydevice housing based on the first relative orientation and displacingsecond software application window of a second software application witha previously-higher the operating state rank, wherein the first relativeorientation is selected from a plurality of orientation modes determinedfrom hinged relative angle positions of the primary integrated displaydevice housing to the second relative display device housing.
 2. Aninformation handling system of claim 1, wherein the virtual inputsoftkey further comprises a virtual keyboard relative to the firstsoftware application window.
 3. The system of claim 2, furthercomprising: the processor determines that the first relative orientationis viewed in portrait page orientation relative to a viewer location;and the application window locator system locating the virtual keyboardunder the first software application display window on the primaryintegrated display device.
 4. The system of claim 2, further comprising:the processor determines that the first relative orientation is viewedin landscape page orientation relative to a viewer location; theapplication window locator system locating the virtual keyboard on thesecond integrated display device; and the application window locatorsystem locating the first software application display window on theprimary integrated display device.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein thefirst relative orientation further is determined from a hinge azimuthorientation.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first softwareapplication requiring user input is located on the primary integrateddisplay device housing for viewing by a user on the first relativeorientation for the information handling system.
 7. The system of claim1, further comprising: the primary integrated display device furtherincludes an integrated camera; and the first software application is anactive videoconference application with an incoming videoconference callrequiring user input.
 8. A computer-implemented method of locatingsoftware application display windows for an information handling systemhaving a first integrated display device housing connectably hinged to asecond integrated display device housing, comprising: determining, via aprocessor executing instructions, a first relative orientation of thefirst integrated display device housing to the second integrated displaydevice housing from a plurality of orientation sensors; determining thelocation of a software application display window and a virtual tool fora first software application on the first integrated display devicehousing or the second integrated display device housing based on thefirst relative orientation and an operating state rank of the firstsoftware application; determining that the first software applicationrequires user input wherein the first software application includes anoperating state rank relative to other software applications on theinformation handling system; and altering a location of a first softwareapplication display window and a virtual input softkey on a displaydevice and displacing second software application window of a secondsoftware application with a previously-higher the operating state rankvia an application window locator system in response to detecting thatthe first software application requires user input.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein first relative orientation is determined from hingedrelative angle positions of the first integrated display device to thesecond integrated display device and from a hinge azimuth orientation.10. The method of claim 8, wherein first relative orientation is isselected from a plurality of orientation modes including at least alaptop mode, a book mode, and a double tablet mode.
 11. The method ofclaim 8, further comprising: detecting a viewer location based on theorientation mode.
 12. The method of claim 8, further comprising:detecting a viewer location via a camera integrated in the informationhandling system.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:locating the software application display window for the second softwareapplication on the first or second integrated display device housingdetermined to be further from the detected viewer location.
 14. Themethod of claim 8, wherein altering the location of the first softwareapplication display window and the virtual input softkey on the displaydevice facing a viewer location via the application window locatorsystem in response to detecting that the first software applicationrequires user input locates the first software application displaywindow.
 15. The method of claim 8, further comprising: determining thatthe first software application has received completed user input tosatisfy the required user input; and in response to determining that thefirst software application has received completed user input, returningthe first software application display window to its previous location.16. An information handling system comprising: a display device; aprimary integrated display device housing and a second integrateddisplay device housing attached via a hinge; a processor to determine afirst relative orientation of the primary integrated display devicehousing to the second integrated display device housing from a pluralityof orientation sensors; the processor to determine an operating staterank of a first software application running on the information handlingsystem relative to an operating state rank of other softwareapplications; the processor detecting a required user input to the firstsoftware application; and the processor executing code of an applicationwindow locator system for altering a location of a first softwareapplication display window and a virtual input softkey on a displaydevice and selecting between the primary integrated display devicehousing and the second integrated display device housing based on thefirst relative orientation and displacing second software applicationwindow of a second software application with a previously-higher theoperating state rank in response to detecting that the first softwareapplication requires user input, wherein the first relative orientationis selected from a plurality of orientation modes including at least alaptop mode, a book mode, and a double tablet mode.
 17. The system ofclaim 16, further comprising: the processor elevating the first softwareapplication operating state rank above the second software applicationoperating state rank upon determining that the first softwareapplication requires a user input and the second software application isloading data.
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein the first relativeorientation is selected from a plurality of orientation modes determinedfrom hinged relative angle positions of the primary integrated displaydevice housing to the second relative display device housing.
 19. Thesystem of claim 16, wherein the first relative orientation is in thedouble tablet mode, further comprising: the processor to determine thata first software application requests input from the virtual inputsoftkey the includes a virtual keyboard; the application window locatorsystem locating the virtual keyboard on an integrated display deviceclosest the detected location of a viewer relative to the informationhandling system; and the application window locator system orienting thevirtual keyboard according to the detected location of the viewer. 20.The system of claim 16, further comprising: the application windowlocator system locating the virtual input softkey for use with the firstsoftware application on an integrated display device housing that is abottom integrated display device housing when the first relativeorientation is in the laptop mode.